SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Non-personal advisory and assistance (A&AS) professional scientific and engineering services
- Notice Date
- 2/28/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG - RTP, ATTN: AMSSB-ACR, Research Triangle Park Contracting Division, P.O. Box 12211, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211
- ZIP Code
- 27709-2211
- Solicitation Number
- W911NF-13-R-0005
- Response Due
- 3/27/2013
- Archive Date
- 4/29/2013
- Point of Contact
- Jessica Leach, 9195494387
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG - RTP
(jessica.e.leach.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- This Sources Sought notice is for planning purposes only and is a market research tool to determine availability and adequacy of potential small business sources. The Government is under no obligation to pay for information submitted in response to this Sources Sought. All the information submitted will be considered and treated as public information. The vendor should not include any pricing or proprietary information. This is not a Request for Proposal or Quote; therefore, responses to this notice will not be accepted as offers. Background: The Army Research Office (ARO) mission is to serve as the Army's executive agency for development and conduct of extramural basic research with authority and responsibility for programs in the physical sciences, engineering sciences, and mathematical and information sciences, in response to Army-wide requirements. ARO develops, acquires and manages an extramural research program comprising of single investigator initiated projects, University Research Initiatives and University Affiliated Research Centers. Additionally, ARO develops, publishes and disseminates Army extramural basic research interests through broad agency announcements to prospective offerors at educational and research institutions, nonprofit organizations, government and industrial laboratories and manages the Army Youth Science Outreach, SBIR/STTR, and HBCU/MI programs. In support of research program activities, ARO ensures the award of research grants/cooperative agreements/contracts, providing technical and procurement strategy, and program oversight through the award cycle. The Contractor shall provide administrative services which support this mission. Most of the support is required onsite at the ARO facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG)-Research Triangle Park Division (ACC-APG-RTP) on behalf of the Army Research Office (ARO) is conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10. The purpose of this Market Research is to identify potential small businesses that have the skills, experience, knowledge, and capabilities necessary to provide technical support to ARO in accordance with the draft statement of work. Large businesses need not respond, nor will a response submitted be considered. This sources sought notice is only open to small businesses. The firm responding to this sources sought notice must provide their Statement of Capabilities addressing the following: 1. Demonstrate the skills, experience, knowledge, and capabilities necessary to perform the technical services for the requirements specified within the Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) attached to this announcement. Statements should address the specific requirements of the PWS and identify the firms' specific skills, experience, knowledge, and capabilities to complete these requirements, including, but not limited to a description of corporate experience with similar projects. 2. Please provide the following Point of Contact information: Company: Address: Point of Contact: Phone Number: Email Address: 3. Does your company have experience as a prime contractor administering Contracts? If you answered yes, please provide as much of the following information as possible; Contract number(s); Dollar value; and similarity of scope and effort. 4. Does your company possess the capabilities to provide the entire range of services called for by these requirements? If not, please list what services in these requirements your company can provide? 5. The Government understands that teaming is an integral part of contracting. Please briefly describe how you would approach selecting team members or subcontractors for this requirement if you are not performing this action 100% in house. 6. Has your Company performed this type of effort or similar type effort (to include size and complexity), currently or in the past? If so provide as much of the following information as possible; Contract Number, Point of Contact (POC), e-mail address, phone number, and a brief description of your direct support of the effort? 7. Does your firm possess an approved Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) accounting system? Other than the Draft Performance Work Statement attached to this sources sought notice, no further documentation will be provided. The Government requests that interested small business offerors submit an electronic response of not more than fifteen (15) pages, 8.5 quote mark x 11 quote mark paper, 12-pitch, Times New Roman font, with a minimum of one (1) inch margins all around. Responses should include the company name, CAGE code, point of contact, and address. Any information submitted by respondents to this sources sought notice is totally voluntary and at no cost to the Government. This information will help the Government form its acquisition strategy. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of a solicitation. Be advised that all correspondence sent shall contain a subject line that reads quote mark Sources Sought Response. If sending attachments with e-mail, ensure only.PDF documents are sent. Responses are due no later than 4:00 PM EST on 27 March 2013. Responses received after this date and time may not be reviewed. Send responses electronically to: Ms. Susan Hill, Contracting Officer, email: susan.p.hill.civ@mail.mil DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK PART 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1 GENERAL. The U. S. Army Research Office (ARO) is in need of a broad range of non-personal advisory and assistance (A&AS) professional scientific and engineering services. The vehicle for these A&AS services will be a Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contract that will provide general programmatic support and basic scientific and engineering expertise needed for planning, programming, acquisition, implementation and enhancement of selected extramural basic research programs. 1.2 SCOPE. This Statement of Work (SOW) provides for A&AS professional scientific and engineering services to ARO directorates, divisions, and programs. 1.3 OBJECTIVE. The objective of this contract action is to acquire the intellectual capital needed to support program management by providing professional scientific, engineering, and analysis services and general programmatic support that includes studies, analysis, evaluations, and scientific/engineering advice in specific ARO program areas. 1.4 BACKGROUND. ARO executes the Army extramural basic research program in the physical sciences (physics, chemistry, life sciences), the engineering sciences (mechanical, electrical, materials, environmental), and information sciences (computing, mathematics, and network). The mission of ARO is to invest in scientific research focused on the needs of the Army so that discovery research targeted at developing advances will insure continuing technological superiority. The scope of ARO research is broad and decidedly long range with system application solutions 10 to 15 or more years away. ARO is organized as a part of the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). ARO manages much of the Army's extramural investments in basic and applied scientific and engineering research. This research is normally carried out at offsite locations such as universities, private corporations, research institutes, and various national laboratories. 1.5REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor shall provide the necessary personnel, supervision, materials, and non-personal services necessary to perform the specific tasks of this SOW to support the mission of ARO as specified and ordered under individual Task Orders (TOs). The Contractor shall perform to the standards of this contract. 1.6PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. This SETA contract shall be for a period of five years, beginning on or about 01 March 2014. 1.7 RECOGNIZED HOLIDAYS. The SETA Contractor is not required to perform services on any (official or declared) Federal Holidays. 1.8 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE, WORK DAYS AND TRAVEL. a. Place of Performance: Principal contract performance is at the U. S. Army Research Office, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The Contractor may be required to perform work at other facilities at various times. The individual TOs will specify the location where work is to be performed. Travel to other facilities may be required and will be specified in each TO. All travel associated with this contract action shall be coordinated with and authorized by the Government-designated program manager (PM). b.Work Days: Full-time (40 hours per week) and part-time positions are anticipated. Normal work hours of the Contractor shall be scheduled in agreement with the Government-designated PM. For full-time positions, a minimum 8-hours of performance are required daily Monday through Friday, unless otherwise specified in the TO. In the event of an ARO or Government shutdown for any reason, the Government will not be liable for costs incurred during this period. c.Travel: Travel to various meetings and conferences may be required in support of the various scientific and engineering programs. All travel will be authorized by the Government-designated PM. Total travel costs shall not exceed allocated funding on the Travel contract line item number (CLIN). Air travel selections shall take into consideration economy and convenience for the Government. Contractors shall consider the use of refundable versus non-refundable tickets when efficiency and mission requirements allow. The cost of travel is reimbursable IAW the Federal Acquisition Regulation part 31, quote mark Contract Cost Principles and Procedures quote mark. 1.9 SECURITY CLEARANCE. The ability of each individual contract employee to obtain a DoD SECRET security clearance is required.. PART 2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS A&AS - advisory and assistance ARL - Army Research Laboratory ARO - Army Research Office CLIN - contract line-item number COR - Contracting Officer's Representative DoD - Department of Defense FAR - Federal Acquisition Regulation GFP - Government furnished property IAW - in accordance with KO - Contracting Officer MURI - Multi-disciplinary University Research Initiative PM - Program Manager QAP - Quality Assurance Plan SBIR - Small Business Innovative Research SDS - services delivery summary SETA - Systems Engineering & Technical Assistance SOW - statement of work STTR - Small Business Technology Transfer TDY - temporary duty TO - task order PART 3. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES 3.1MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS. Material requirements that are not provided by the Government for TO accomplishment shall be identified in the Contractor's TO proposal. Material purchases shall be authorized by the COR and approved by the KO prior to purchase. Funding for approved material expenditures shall be provided at the TO level. Competitive quotes from at least three vendors are required for material purchases of $2,500 or more. Receipts for material purchases shall be submitted with invoices. Material costs will be reimbursed IAW FAR Part 31, quote mark Contract Cost Principles and Procedures quote mark. Fees for attendance at Government-approved conferences shall be invoiced under the Material CLIN. PART 4. SPECIFIC TASKS. 4.1BASIC SERVICES. Individual SETA Contractors will provide A&AS professional services involving programmatic support in specific scientific and engineering fields of basic, fundamental and applied research. Some or all of the following tasks may be acquired via TO IAW the minimum needs of the Government. Required tasks shall be performed independent of Government supervision, direction, and control. The Contractor shall provide Scientific and Engineering services to ARO similar to and including, but not limited to, the following: a.)Prepare for, provide input to, and attend (in non-representational capacity) scientific meetings (to include program reviews) and site visits to evaluate program scientific/technical progress and opportunities b.)Analyze and provide recommendations on scientific/technical progress and opportunities contained in progress reports and scientific papers. c.)Evaluate and provide input, advice and recommendations on individual research proposals to include identification of strengths and weaknesses, as well as current and potential research opportunities. d.)Assure program accomplishments are documented and, where appropriate, provide program support involving transition to the user community. e.)Seek out, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers to facilitate programmatic interface within the U.S. research and development community. f.)Provide input, recommendations and prepare in draft format a comprehensive document addressing research needs and accomplishments for dissemination to scientists and managers within the Army and DoD. g.)Research, analyze and identify areas of research that have high scientific merit, excellent Army relevance, and high potential to transform Army capabilities and logistics. h.)Maintain awareness of scientific opportunities via literature searches and attendance (non representational capacity) at appropriate scientific meetings and conferences. i.)Actively solicit awareness of Army needs by participating in non-representational capacity at DoD meetings. j.)Provide input and recommendations and prepare draft written and oral presentations summarizing accomplishments and future scientific opportunities. k.)Provide recommendations and advice regarding the development of research proposals having the potential to obtain external funding aimed at leveraging Army 6.1 dollars. l.)Provide input, make recommendations and prepare in draft format a formal synopsis of research needed and research opportunities, such as SBIR, STTR, MURI, and other topics. m.)Ensure timely receipt, review and provide recommendations as necessary regarding Interim Progress Reports, Forecast Expenditure Reports, and Final Progress Reports. n.)Evaluate investigator reports, provide recommendations for corrective action (if any) and ensure that research efforts are properly documented. o.)Provide programmatic support and recommendations involving site visits to ARO-funded scientists to ensure that Army 6.1 funding is being optimally used. p.)Maintain regular contact with investigators in order to monitor and assess breakthroughs and problems. q.)Provide programmatic support and provide recommendations and advice regarding the acceptance of research proposals. r.)Participate in non-representational / non-decisional capacity at ARO and DoD meetings. s.)Develop an understanding of basic research efforts funded by DoD in order to ensure the supported program does not duplicate other efforts. t.)Research and provide input / recommendations that will assist DoD-funded investigators find industry partners to enhance research efforts. u.)Research and provide input / recommendations that will assist DoD-funded investigators to develop additional funding sources. 4.2 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERABLES. The Contractor will provide status reports to the Government-designated PM and the COR. a.Oral and/or written reports as requested by the PM and COR will be submitted within one (1) workday of the request. b.A quarterly progress report will be submitted to the COR which describes the tasks that all SETA Contractor personnel worked on under this contract and the outcomes. This report will be due quarterly on the last workday of the month following the quarter in which the work was performed. c. A trip report, consisting of a written report of the interactions, pending actions, and suggested actions resulting from any TDY trip taken in connection with this SETA contract will be submitted to the Government-designated PM within three (3) workdays of the TDY trip. d. A cover letter summarizing the Contractor personnel activities and endorsed by the Government-designated PM indicating that the work has been accomplished satisfactorily, will be submitted to the COR within 60 days following the end of the contract's period of performance. 4.3 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. The scientist or engineer selected for the performance of this effort should have significant research experiences. The selectee should have a detailed knowledge in the programmatic scientific area. Knowledge of Army-relevant problems is desirable. At a minimum, the individual selected must have scientific or engineering training equivalent to the M.S. degree and a strong basic research background. U.S. citizenship is required. The ability to obtain a DoD SECRET clearance is required. 4.4 RESTRICTIONS. None 4.5PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. Contractor shall retain appropriate number of key personnel who have the necessary skills, education, and experience to effectively meet contract and TO requirements. Additionally, the Contractor shall maintain an active training, recruitment, and retention program to ensure qualified and clearable personnel are available to meet contract and TO requirements
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/95f378922e42157464ea7e6394cc14ae)
- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC-APG - RTP ATTN: AMSSB-ACR, Research Triangle Park Contracting Division, P.O. Box 12211 Research Triangle Park NC
- Zip Code: 27709-2211
- Zip Code: 27709-2211
- Record
- SN02999169-W 20130302/130228235324-95f378922e42157464ea7e6394cc14ae (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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